Cefuroxime

Cefuroxime is an antibiotic medicine used to treat bacterial infections in your body. It is effective in infections of the lungs (e.g. pneumonia), ear, throat, nasal sinus, urinary tract, skin, soft tissues, bones, and joints. It is also used to prevent infections during surgery. Cefuroxime is given as a drip (intravenous infusion) or as an injection directly into a vein or a muscle under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Your doctor will decide the correct dose for you. You should use this medicine regularly at evenly spaced intervals as per the schedule prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Stopping the medicine too early may lead to the infection returning or worsening. The most common side effects of this medicine include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, increased liver enzymes and nausea. Some people may develop temporary redness or pain at the site of injection. These side effects are usually mild but let your doctor know if they bother you or last more than a few days. Before using it, you should tell your doctor if you are allergic to any antibiotics, and if you have any liver or kidney problems. You should also let your doctor know all other medicines you are taking as they may affect, or be affected by this medicine. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before using it.

Cefuroxime is an antibiotic. It kills bacteria by preventing them from forming the bacterial protective covering (cell wall) which is needed for them to survive.

• Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis
• Acute Bacterial Otitis Media
• Acute Bacterial Maxillary Sinusitis
• Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (including pneumonia)
• Acute Bacterial Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis
• Secondary Bacterial Infections of Acute Bronchitis
• Skin and Skin Structure Infections
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Bone and Joint Infections
• Gonorrhea
• Early Lyme Disease

Cefuroxime is a well-characterized and effective antibacterial agent, which has broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against a wide range of common pathogens, including β-lactamase producing strains. Cefuroxime has good stability to bacterial β-lactamase and consequently, is active against many ampicillin-resistant and amoxycillin-resistant strains.

Cefuroxime binds to one or more of the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) which inhibits the final transpeptidation step of peptidoglycan synthesis in bacterial cell wall, thus inhibiting biosynthesis and arresting cell wall assembly resulting in bacterial cell death.

Adult Dose (Oral - 13 years and older):

Pediatric Dose (3 months-12 years - Oral):

Adult Dose (Parenteral): 750 mg 8 hourly (IM/IV); severe infections: 1.5 g 6-8 hourly.

Pediatric Dose (Parenteral - >3 months): 30-100 mg/kg/day (3-4 divided doses); bone & joint: up to 150 mg/kg/day.

Neonates: 30-100 mg/kg/day (2-3 divided doses); meningitis: 100 mg/kg/day initial, then 50 mg/kg/day.

Surgical Prophylaxis: 1.5 g IV at induction; additional 750 mg every 8 hours for high-risk procedures.

Renal Dose: Hemodialysis: additional 750 mg after each dialysis; CrCl 10-20: 750 mg twice daily; CrCl <10: 750 mg once daily.

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer. Reconstituted solution is stable for 24 hours at room temperature or 48 hours at 5°C.

IM Injection (750 mg): Add 3 ml Water for Injection and shake gently.

IV Injection (750 mg): Add 8 ml Water for Injection and inject slowly IV over 3-5 minutes.

IV Injection (1.5 g): Add 16 ml Water for Injection and inject slowly IV over 3-5 minutes.

If you miss a dose of Cefuroxime, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Common Side Effects:

• Rash
• Vomiting
• Allergic reaction
• Increased liver enzymes
• Nausea
• Injection site reaction
• Diarrhea
• Gastrointestinal disturbances

• [NOT RELEVANT] Cefuroxime is intended for use in hospitalized patients, so driving warnings do not apply.
• Your doctor has prescribed Cefuroxime to cure your infection and improve your symptoms. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Stopping it early may make the infection come back and harder to treat.
• Discontinue Cefuroxime and inform your doctor immediately if you get a rash, itchy skin, swelling of face and mouth, or have difficulty in breathing.
• Diarrhea may occur as a side effect but should stop when your course is complete. Inform your doctor if it does not stop or if you find blood in your stools.
• Avoid consuming alcohol while taking Cefuroxime as it may cause increased side effects.
• Cefuroxime should be given with care to patients receiving concurrent treatment with potent diuretics & who has history of colitis.

• Hypersensitivity to cephalosporins.

May enhance the nephrotoxic effect of strong-acting diuretics (e.g. furosemide) and aminoglycosides. May enhance the effect of oral anticoagulants. May reduce the efficacy of OCs. Probenecid prolongs the excretion of cefuroxime and elevated peak serum level.

[SAFE] Consuming alcohol with Cefuroxime does not cause any harmful side effects.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Cefuroxime is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies. Pregnancy Category B. This drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Cefuroxime is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby. Cefuroxime is excreted in human milk. Avoid prolonged use of Cefuroxime, since it may have possible effects such as rash and diarrhea.

Pediatric dose (3 months-12 years - Oral): Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis: 20 mg/kg/day (twice daily) 5-10 days; Otitis media, Sinusitis, Impetigo: 30 mg/kg/day (twice daily) 10 days. Parenteral: 30-100 mg/kg/day (3-4 divided doses); bone & joint: up to 150 mg/kg/day.

Limited information is available on dose adjustment for elderly patients.

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] There is limited information available on the use of Cefuroxime in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor. Hemodialysis: additional 750 mg after each dialysis; CrCl 10-20: 750 mg twice daily; CrCl <10: 750 mg once daily.

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] There is limited information available on the use of Cefuroxime in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.

Information on Cefuroxime overdosage is not available.

Store in a cool, dry place (below 30°C), away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Cefuroxime